Both companies of those who gave thanks: These were the two choral groups that Nehemiah had appointed in verse 31. Revised English Bible calls them “the two thanksgiving choirs,” while New International Version describes them as “The two choirs that gave thanks.” Translators should be consistent with terms that have been used before in verses 31 and 38.

At this point the two groups met each other and stood in the house of God (see Ezra 1.4). The Hebrew verb rendered stood may be understood as Revised Standard Version interprets it or it may mean they “stopped” (so Bible en français courant, Traduction œcuménique de la Bible). It may also mean that they “took their place” (so Revised English Bible, New International Version, New Living Translation), and this is recommended to translators.

I and half of the officials with me: Nehemiah then specifically includes himself and the half of the leaders who were in the second company with him. The Hebrew word translated officials here is a term that was used for the rulers in Jerusalem at this time (see the comments at Ezra 9.2, where Revised Standard Version has “chief men” for this term; see also Neh 2.16). Revised English Bible calls them “magistrates” to distinguish them from the expression “leading men” in its rendering of verses 32 and 38. Good News Translation harmonizes and calls them “leaders” here as well as in verse 32. In this context the term appears to be used in a general sense referring to the officials or the “leaders” who were in the procession without specifying a particular category of leaders. It is preferable for the translator to follow this interpretation rather than using a technical term.

Quoted with permission from Noss, Philip A. and Thomas, Kenneth J. A Handbook on Nehemiah. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2005. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .